Diversity and Relative Abundance of Medium and Large-Sized Mammals and Human-wildlife Conflict in and around Wolete Petros Unity Monastery, Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia

Solomon, Gedif

dc.contributor.author	Solomon, Gedif
dc.date.accessioned	2026-08-17T07:51:36Z
dc.date.available	2026-08-17T07:51:36Z
dc.date.issued	2026-01
dc.identifier.uri	http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16985
dc.description.abstract	Ethiopia is recognized for its rich biodiversity, due to diverse ecosystems and varied topography. However, wildlife habitats face significant threats from various anthropogenic activities, leading to increased human-wildlife conflict (HWC).This study was conducted to investigate the diversity and relative abundance of medium and large-sized mammals and to assess the extent and causes of HWC in and around Wolete Petros Unity Monastery, Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. Data were collected from June to Augus 2025 using block count method across 12 systematically selected blocks. Direct observations and indirect evidence, such as footprints, scats, and vocalizations, were used to record species occurrence. For the HWC assessment, a questionnaire survey was administered to 120 randomly selected households from eight villages, supplemented by direct observations and focus group discussions. A total of 15 medium and large-sized mammal species belonging to 4 orders and 8 families were recorded. The order Primates and Artiodactyla was the most diverse each contains (5 species, 33.33%), followed by Carnivora (3 species, 20%), and Rodentia,2 species,3.34%0. A total of 158 individuals were counted, with the Olive Baboon (Papio anubis) being the most abundant species (n=75, 40.1%). The Shannon- Wiener diversity index (H'=1.627) and Simpson’s index (1-D=0.713) indicated a moderate level of species diversity with relatively high evenness (J = 0.487). Forest habitats supported the highest species richness and abundance. HWC assessment revealed that habitat degradation (56.7%) and farmland expansion around forest edges (25%) were the primary causes of conflict. Crop damage was most severe in the forest zone (62.5%), with maize being the most frequently raided crop. Fruiting and vegetative stages of crops were the most vulnerable. Guarding (day and night) was the most common used mitigation strategy, primarily performed by children and men using stones and sticks. Species group composition was dominated by adults (46.2%), followed by juveniles (32.9%) and infants (20.9%). Klipspringer ( አንቺችክሳ), was a small mammal species of the family Bovidae found across a rocky and grass habitats of the monastery. It had a reddish-brown coat, straight male horns.	en_US
dc.language.iso	en_US	en_US
dc.subject	Biology	en_US
dc.title	Diversity and Relative Abundance of Medium and Large-Sized Mammals and Human-wildlife Conflict in and around Wolete Petros Unity Monastery, Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia	en_US
dc.type	Thesis	en_US